Energy Resources and Consumption Study Guide

This study guide will help you study for the module exam by highlighting the most important concepts on the exam. It is not a definitive list of every topic that could appear on the exam and should not be used in lieu of the textbook and course content.

🚨 Do not begin your test until you have completed all self-assessments, assignments, and the review items and feel confident in your understanding of this material.

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 🌅 (click to reveal)

- - - - Nonrenewable energy sources are those that exist in a fixed amount and involve energy transformation that cannot be easily replaced.
      - Renewable energy sources are those that can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption, and reused.

- - - - Identify...
        
        differences between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources.
        
        each type of energy source as either nonrenewable or renewable energy sources.
        
        the advantages and disadvantages of nonrenewable and renewable energy sources.
      - Describe...
        
        which resources are renewable.
        
        which are nonrenewable.
        
        what it means to use a resource sustainably.
        
        the main difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources.
      - Justify...
        
        whether renewable resources could run out.
        
        the long-term effects of continued use of nonrenewable energy sources on climate change.
        
        the economic implications of switching from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources on a national scale.
      - Explain the environmental impact of relying heavily on nonrenewable energy sources.

Global Energy Consumption 🌎 (click to reveal)

- - - - The use of energy resources is not evenly distributed between developed and developing countries.
      - The most widely used sources of energy globally are fossil fuels.
      - As developing countries become more developed, their reliance on fossil fuels for energy increases.
      - As the world becomes more industrialized, the demand for energy increases.
      - Availability, price, and governmental regulations influence which energy sources people use and how they use them.

- - - - Describe...
        
        trends in energy consumption.
        
        why developing countries may rely more on fossil fuels as they become more developed.
        
        how governmental regulations can impact the availability of energy sources.
      - Justify the potential environmental consequences of the increased use of fossil fuels in developing countries.
      - Make a claim...
        
        asserting the effectiveness of current governmental regulations in promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
        
        for or against the increasing reliance on fossil fuels in developing countries.

Fuel Types and Uses ⛽️ (click to reveal)

- - - - Wood is commonly used as fuel in the forms of firewood and charcoal. It is often used in developing countries because it is easily accessible.
      - Peat is partially decomposed organic material that can be burned for fuel.
      - Three types of coal used for fuel are lignite, bituminous, and anthracite. Heat, pressure, and depth of burial contribute to the development of various coal types and their qualities.
      - Natural gas, the cleanest of the fossil fuels, is mostly methane.
      - Crude oil can be recovered from tar sands, which are a combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen.
      - Fossil fuels can be made into specific fuel types for specialized uses (e.g. in motor vehicles).
      - Cogeneration occurs when a fuel source is used to generate both useful heat and electricity.

- - - - Identify...
        
        types of fossil fuels and their uses.
        
        the two common forms in which wood is used as fuel.
        
        the main component of natural gas.
      - Describe...
        
        how fossil fuels formed.
        
        the positives (economic, environmental, social) of using fossil fuels.
        
        the negatives (economic, environmental, social) of using fossil fuels.
        
        the process of converting fossil fuels into specialized fuel types.
        
        the environmental impact of using fossil fuels for energy production.
        
        the three types of coal based on their qualities.
      - Justify...
        
        the long-term effects of burning fossil fuels on the Earth's climate.
        
        the energy efficiency of cogeneration compared to traditional methods.
      - Make a claim for or against the continued use of coal for energy generation.

Distribution of Natural Energy Resources 🗺 (click to reveal)

- - - - The global distribution of natural energy resources, such as ores, coal, crude oil, and gas, is not uniform and depends on regions’ geologic history.

- - - - Identify where natural energy resources occur.
      - Explain...
        
        when we are expected to run out of fossil fuels.
        
        the distribution of ores and compare it with the distribution of crude oil in different regions based on their geologic history.
        
        why the global distribution of natural energy resources varies according to regions' geologic history.
      - Justify the economic and environmental implications of uneven distribution of natural energy resources on a global scale.
      - Describe...
        
        how the geologic history of a specific region has influenced the availability and distribution of natural energy resources.

Fossil Fuels ⛽️ (click to reveal)

- - - - The combustion of fossil fuels is a chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen that yields carbon dioxide and water and releases energy.
      - Energy from fossil fuels is produced by burning those fuels to generate heat, which then turns water into steam. That steam turns a turbine, which generates electricity.
      - Humans use a variety of methods to extract fossil fuels from the earth for energy generation.
      - Hydrologic fracturing (fracking) can cause groundwater contamination and the release of volatile organic compounds.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use and methods of fossil fuels in power generation.
        
        the effects of fossil fuels on the environment.
        
        a major problem(s) with high-sulfur fossil fuels.
        
        the environmental problems with fracking.
        
        the potential environmental impacts of extracting fossil fuels from the earth.
      - Identify...
        
        the products of the combustion of fossil fuels.
        
        The products of the combustion of natural gas.
      - Justify...
        
        why burning coal is especially bad for the environment.
        
        why natural gas is better for the environment than other fossil fuels.
      - Explain the long-term effects of reliance on fossil fuels for energy.
      - Make a claim assessing the factors that contribute to groundwater contamination from hydrologic fracturing.

Nuclear Power ☢️ (click to reveal)

- - - - Nuclear power is generated through fission, where atoms of Uranium-235, which are stored in fuel rods, are split into smaller parts after being struck by the neutron. Nuclear fission releases a large amount of heat, which is used to generate steam, which powers a turbine and generates electricity.
      - Radioactivity occurs when the nucleus of a radioactive isotope loses energy by emitting radiation.
      - Uranium-235 remains radioactive for a long time, which leads to the problems associated with the disposal of nuclear waste.
      - Nuclear power generation is a nonrenewable energy source. Nuclear power is considered a cleaner energy source because it does not produce air pollutants, but it does release thermal pollution and hazardous solid waste.
      - Three Mile Island, Chornobyl, and Fukushima are three cases where accidents or natural disasters led to the release of radiation. These releases have had short- and long-term impacts on the environment.
      - A radioactive element’s half-life can be used to calculate a variety of things, including the rate of decay and the radioactivity level at specific points in time.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use of nuclear energy in power generation.
        
        the process through which nuclear power is generated.
      - Explain...
        
        the current methods of nuclear waste disposal and propose a solution(s) to minimize the long-term impact on the environment.
        
        the problem with nuclear waste.
      - Make a claim as to why nuclear power is considered a cleaner energy source compared to other traditional sources.
      - Identify which element's atoms are split in nuclear fission to generate power.
      - Justify why it is so hard to find a place to store nuclear waste.

Energy from Biomass 🌾 (click to reveal)

- - - - Burning of biomass produces heat for energy at a relatively low cost, but it also produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and volatile organic compounds. The overharvesting of trees for fuel also causes deforestation.
      - Ethanol can be used as a substitute for gasoline. Burning ethanol does not introduce additional carbon into the atmosphere via combustion, but the energy return on energy investment for ethanol is low.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the effects of the use of biomass in power generation on the environment.
        
        some positives and negatives of biomass energy. Think about economic, environmental, and social.
        
        the different types of pollutants released when ethanol is burned compared to when biomass is burned.
        
        why overharvesting of trees for fuel is a concern.
      - Justify the economic and environmental implications of continuing to use biomass as a source of energy.
      - Explain the long-term consequences of using biomass as a primary energy source.
      - Identify the pollutants produced when burning biomass for energy.

Solar Power 🌞 (click to reveal)

- - - - Photovoltaic solar cells capture light energy from the sun and transform it directly into electrical energy. Their use is limited by the availability of sunlight.
      - Active solar energy systems use solar energy to heat a liquid through mechanical and electric equipment to collect and store the energy captured from the sun.
      - Passive solar energy systems absorb heat directly from the sun without the use of mechanical and electric equipment, and energy cannot be collected or stored.
      - Solar energy systems have low environmental impact and produce clean energy, but they can be expensive. Large solar energy farms may negatively impact desert ecosystems.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use of solar energy in power generation.
        
        some examples of passive solar energy. Active solar energy.
        
        the effects of the use of solar energy in power generation on the environment.
        
        some positives and negatives of solar energy. Think about economic, environmental, and social.
        
        the main benefits and drawbacks of using solar energy.
      - Justify...
        
        the factors that influence the efficiency of solar energy systems.
        
        the potential long-term effects of widespread adoption of solar energy on the economy and environment.
      - Explain...
        
        the environmental impact of solar energy systems compared to other traditional energy sources.
        
        the differences between active vs. passive solar energy.
      - Make a claim about the impact of large-scale solar energy farms on desert ecosystems and propose a solution(s) to mitigate negative effects.

Hydroelectric Power 💧 (click to reveal)

- - - - Hydroelectric power can be generated in several ways. Dams built across rivers collect water in reservoirs. The moving water can be used to spin a turbine. Turbines can also be placed in small rivers, where the flowing water spins the turbine.
      - Tidal energy uses the energy produced by tidal flows to turn a turbine.
      - Hydroelectric power does not generate air pollution or waste, but construction of the power plants can be expensive, and there may be a loss of or change in habitats following the construction of dams.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use of hydroelectricity in power generation.
        
        the effects of the use of hydroelectricity in power generation on the environment.
        
        the long-term benefits and drawbacks of using hydroelectric power as a renewable energy source.
      - Explain...
        
        the methods used to generate hydroelectric power.
        
        some positives and negatives of hydroelectric power. Think about economic, environmental, and social.
        
        the environmental impact of hydroelectric power plants and describe the trade-offs involved in their construction.

Geothermal Energy 🌎 (click to reveal)

- - - - Geothermal energy is obtained by using the heat stored in the Earth’s interior to heat up water, which is brought back to the surface as steam. The steam is used to drive an electric generator.
      - The cost of accessing geothermal energy can be prohibitively expensive, as it is not easily accessible in many parts of the world. In addition, it can cause the release of hydrogen sulfide.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use of geothermal energy in power generation.
        
        the technological advancements that increase the efficiency of geothermal energy utilization.
        
        how geothermal energy is obtained.
        
        the effects of the use of geothermal energy in power generation on the environment.
      - Justify the environmental impact of geothermal energy compared to fossil fuels.
      - Explain...
        
        some positives and negatives of geothermal energy. Think about economic, environmental, and social.
        
        the impact of widespread adoption of geothermal energy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
        
        the cost of accessing geothermal energy compared to other forms of renewable energy.

Wind Energy 💨 (click to reveal)

- - - - Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of moving air to spin a turbine, which in turn converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electricity.
      - Wind energy is a renewable, clean source of energy. However, birds and bats may be killed if they fly into the spinning turbine blades.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the use of wind energy in power generation.
        
        the effects of the use of wind energy in power generation on the environment.
        
        the impact of wind turbines on the environment beyond the issue with birds and bats.
        
        the main advantages and disadvantages of using wind energy.
        
        Explain...
        
        the positives and negatives of wind energy. Think about economic, environmental, and social.
        
        how wind turbines generate electricity compared to other renewable energy sources.
        
        how a wind turbine produces electricity from the kinetic energy of moving air.
        
        Justify the trade-offs between using wind energy and other non-renewable energy sources in terms of environmental impact.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells 🔋 (click to reveal)

- - - - Hydrogen fuel cells are an alternative to non-renewable fuel sources. They use hydrogen as fuel, combining the hydrogen and oxygen in the air to form water and release energy (electricity) in the process. Water is the product (emission) of a fuel cell.
      - Hydrogen fuel cells have low environmental impact and produce no carbon dioxide when the hydrogen is produced from water. However, the technology is expensive, and energy is still needed to create the hydrogen gas used in the fuel cell.

- - - - Describe...
        
        the effects of the use of hydrogen fuel cells in power generation on the environment.
        
        the use of hydrogen fuel cells in power generation.
        
        the process by which a hydrogen fuel cell produces energy from hydrogen and oxygen.
        
        Explain...
        
        the potential long-term effects on the environment if hydrogen fuel cells were widely adopted as a primary energy source.
        
        the environmental impact of hydrogen fuel cells compared to traditional fuel sources in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
        
        Identify the product(s) (emission) of a fuel cell.
        
        Justify the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen fuel cells as an energy source.

Energy Conservation ⚡️ (click to reveal)

- - - - Some of the methods for conserving energy around a home include adjusting the thermostat to reduce the use of heat and air conditioning, conserving water, use of energy-efficient appliances, and conservation landscaping.
      - Methods for conserving energy on a large scale include improving fuel economy for vehicles, using BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and hybrid vehicles, using public transportation, and implementing green building design features.

- - - - Describe...
        
        methods for conserving energy.
        
        some ways YOU can conserve energy.
        
        practical ways we can "convince" others to conserve energy.
        
        the importance of using energy-efficient appliances in conserving energy.
        
        the methods of conserving energy at a home versus on a large scale.
      - Justify...
        
        why energy efficiency is important.
        
        the effectiveness of implementing green building design features in reducing energy consumption on a large scale.
        
        using public transportation as a method for conserving energy on a large scale.
      - Calculate...
        
        energy efficiency.
        
        the kWh used by appliances.

Multiple-Choice 📝

You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
There are four choices for each question. Choose the best answer.
On the actual AP exam, you will have 90 minutes to answer 80 questions. On this test, you will have 65 minutes to answer the questions on your test.

Free-Response 📝

You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
You can write your answers and upload them to Canvas OR write them directly in Canvas
- NOTE: if you are uploading your answers to Canvas, you are responsible for uploading your answers within the time frame allowed for the free-response test. You will not get extra time if your document does not upload in time.
On this exam, you will have 35 minutes to answer your Free Response question. On the real AP exam, you should plan for about 22.5 minutes per FRQ.

AP Exam Tip

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🖨️ Energy Resources and Consumption Study Guide

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